Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Samaritans aren't just warning the king about future rebellion; they're appealing to his wallet by listing multiple types of taxes—poll, excise, and land taxes—that Jerusalem will stop paying once fortified. This highlights how, for them, the most convincing argument against rebuilding was purely financial, framing the Jewish people's restoration as a direct threat to the empire's wealth.
Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Samaritans, who had previously opposed the rebuilding of the temple, escalate their campaign by writing a letter to King Artaxerxes. They present a specious argument, claiming that if Jerusalem is rebuilt and its walls fortified, the Jews will cease paying taxes and thus harm the king's income. This false accusation is designed to manipulate the king's financial interests and persuade him to halt the construction.
Ever felt like you're being painted as the bad guy, even when you know you're doing the right thing? The Samaritans were masters of this.
In Ezra 4, the Samaritans didn't just disagree with the rebuilding of Jerusalem; they actively strategized to stop it. They knew that appealing to the Jewish people's faith wouldn't sway King Artaxerxes. Instead, they chose a tactic guaranteed to grab his attention: economic threat.
The King's Bottom Line
They argued that a fortified Jerusalem would be a direct challenge to the Persian Empire's financial interests. Their message was clear: "If these walls go up, your money stops coming in." They specifically mentioned:
By framing the rebuilding project as an act of rebellion that would sever the flow of revenue, they cleverly manipulated the king's concerns for his own empire's stability and wealth. It’s a powerful reminder that opposition often weaponizes fear and financial loss.
It's easy to think of ancient rulers as all-powerful, but they were constantly worried about losing control. That's exactly what the Samaritans played on.
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The core of the Samaritans' accusation wasn't just about money; it was about power and autonomy. They presented a simple, logical argument to King Artaxerxes:
Walls Mean Independence
This wasn't necessarily the Jews' intention, but the Samaritans skillfully used the perception of rebellion to their advantage. They knew that any sign of a province attempting to regain autonomy was a serious threat to an empire like Persia, which relied on consistent tribute and loyalty from its vast territories.
Understand the original words
mindah · Aramaic Noun
A recurring payment made by a subordinate state or people to a superior power, signifying submission, sovereignty, or required tax obligation.
The Samaritans' argument in Ezra 4:13 wasn't just about taxes; it was a strategic political maneuver. They framed the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls as a direct threat to the Persian Empire's control and revenue, knowing this would alarm the king more than any religious concern.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Under Cyrus the Great's decree, exiled Jews are permitted to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple.
c. 516 BC
Temple Reconstruction Completed
The Second Temple in Jerusalem is finished, marking a significant religious milestone for the returned exiles.
458 BC
Ezra Arrives in Jerusalem
The scribe and priest Ezra leads a second major group of exiles from Babylon, bringing with him religious reforms and a significant sum of silver and gold.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Arrives in Jerusalem
Appointed governor, Nehemiah begins the critical task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, facing considerable opposition.
c. 444 BC
Wall Construction Completed
Despite intense opposition and threats, Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem successfully finish rebuilding the city walls.
This passage speaks to the importance of obedience to God's law for success and prosperity, mirroring how the rebuilding of Jerusalem was tied to its ability to function autonomously and potentially resist oppressive taxation.
Nehemiah 2:17Nehemiah faces similar accusations when rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, where he is confronted with the same fear that fortifications would lead to rebellion and cessation of tribute.
Proverbs 22:7This proverb highlights the principle that the borrower is servant to the lender, reflecting the underlying economic and political dependency that the Samaritans feared would be lost if Jerusalem was rebuilt and self-sufficient.
1 Samuel 15:22This verse emphasizes that obedience to God is more valuable than sacrifice, a principle relevant to Ezra's situation where the Samaritans are using political arguments to oppose a God-ordained task.
gillEzra 4:13: "Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings."
Be it known now unto the king,.... And let it be seriously and thoroughly considered by him and his counsellors: that if this city be builded, and its walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom; being able to defend themselves against the king's forces, sent to reduc…
clarkeEzra 4:13: "Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings."
Toll, tribute, and custom - The first term is supposed to imply the capitation tax; the second, an excise on commodities and merchandise; the third, a sort of land tax. Others suppose the first means a property tax; the second, a poll tax; and the third, what was paid on imports and exports.…
The Samaritans aren't just warning the king about future rebellion; they're appealing to his wallet by listing multiple types of taxes—poll, excise, and land taxes—that Jerusalem will stop paying once fortified. This highlights how, for them, the most convincing argument against rebuilding was purely financial, framing the Jewish people's restoration as a direct threat to the empire's wealth.
The Samaritans, who had previously opposed the rebuilding of the temple, escalate their campaign by writing a letter to King Artaxerxes. They present a specious argument, claiming that if Jerusalem is rebuilt and its walls fortified, the Jews will cease paying taxes and thus harm the king's income. This false accusation is designed to manipulate the king's financial interests and persuade him to halt the construction.
The Samaritans, who had previously opposed the rebuilding of the temple, escalate their campaign by writing a letter to King Artaxerxes. They present a specious argument, claiming that if Jerusalem is rebuilt and its walls fortified, the Jews will cease paying taxes and thus harm the king's income. This false accusation is designed to manipulate the king's financial interests and persuade him to halt the construction.
"Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired." — The Samaritans aren't just warning the king about future rebellion; they're appealing to his wallet by listing multiple types of taxes—poll, excise, and land taxes—that Jerusalem will stop paying onc…
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Last reviewed October 2026